My 1st attempt

[erock68]

Nice! Turned out great.

Thanks! I was really surprised it did come out like this. I had so many things going on at once with the stand, wall, sump, electrical and tank..I was kinda worried about the end result. It may not look big in the pictures (I have to get a reference shot in) but it was a pretty cool project, along the way!

 

[G x 2]

Maybe I can pick your brain for the time being?

Did you cure your Pukani rock before placing into the DT to cycle? I've been on the fence between that and Marco rock. The entire curing process that I'm reading about involved with the Pukani is scaring me.

 

[erock68]

Maybe I can pick your brain for the time being?

Did you cure your Pukani rock before placing into the DT to cycle? I've been on the fence between that and Marco rock. The entire curing process that I'm reading about involved with the Pukani is scaring me.

I ordered 72lbs of the Live Dry Pukani, from Bulk Reef Supply: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ry-rock/brs-pukani-dry-aquarium-eco-rock.html

I did not cure it, although I did clean it off rather well (parts of sponges and other stuff, dried on the rock itself) No worries about hitchhikers or bad stuff, coming from inside of it. This is one of the reasons, I'm not seeing too much algae, yet in the tank.

I have also heard that, you can "seed" your tank, with a piece that has not been cured. Although, I didn't get a piece, I don't think it would be bad during a cycle. Some people get some that has some nice growth on it...I wasn't too thrilled with that idea. I'll let it happen naturally, even if it takes longer.

Now, after looking this evening, I'm finally getting algae growth, in the Fuge section of my Sump. Growing on the top & sides, of a large piece of rock. I only turn that light on, overnight and let it on until I wake up.

Finally!

 

[S14Swap240sx]

i used the sock it aswell with my sump..

the one thing i would recommend if your having troubles removing the sock, i switched my intake tube piece to a barb fitting with silicone hose on it so i could adjust the level at which the water is dumped, and have some flexibility removing the sock aswell

 

[robs.mark]

Looks amazing, you should be very pleased with it. What lighting do you intend on using?

 

[erock68]

Looks amazing, you should be very pleased with it. What lighting do you intend on using?

Thanks!

I plan on going with this one, A Sunlight Supply TEK T5 48" 6 bulb fixture, with a mix of 2 Daylight 10,000k, 2 Actinic Blue Plus and 2 Actinic Purple Plus:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...es/sunlight-supply-tek-light-t5-fixtures.html

 

[exodus]

Wow, what a great project you have going there. You are very skilled - imagine what you might do in the future!

 

[acabgd]

Great build, I'm really impressed!

 

[Reefahholic]

looking good so far!

Nice wall work....

 

[erock68]

Thanks to my buddy Dave, I have Chaeto in the fuge:

 

[erock68]

Here it is complete, with my daughter in the shot. It seems like the size doesn't really show, in the pictures, without someone standing by it for reference:

 

[erock68]

2 from the new CUC:

 

[medic155]

Thanks!

I plan on going with this one, A Sunlight Supply TEK T5 48" 6 bulb fixture, with a mix of 2 Daylight 10,000k, 2 Actinic Blue Plus and 2 Actinic Purple Plus:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...es/sunlight-supply-tek-light-t5-fixtures.html

Have you purchased the lighting yet? If not, you might want to consider the AquaticLife fixtures. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...3csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&CAWELAID=1059619618

I have the 4 bulb 48" over my 55g, and I absolutely love the built in timer on it. Only one plug that you have to worry about, and AquaticLife customer service is top-notch, some of the best I've ever seen. It'll run you about $250 more than the one you posted with mounting hardware for the ceiling though.

 

[erock68]

Finally got a good pic of my Electric Blue Hermit :

 

[erock68]

Sorry, it's an action shot....Larry, Curly & Moe:

 

[TheReefJedi]

Very nice build

 

[erock68]

Thanks for the comments all!

Here's an update...

My Pukani is turning color and the CUC loves it. I hate to see that nice white go, but at least I know the tank is getting more mature. Also, my Chromis are doing great. They know when it's feeding time and also when it's lights out. It's awesome to see them come out of the Pukani, when the daylight lights, first come on:

My Electric Blues are changing shells. I caught this one in the act (his second condo in one day):

My fuge is growing nicely:

 

[erock68]

I have to add one thing....my Hydrometer sucks! I don't trust it. Waste of money. I keep getting different readings, everytime I use it. I mean within 10 minutes time.

I bought it, to make sure I had the salinity correct, when first adding Reef Crystals, to my tank.

I check every other day and get readings all over the scale.

My friend let me use his Refractometer and I got constant readings the whole weekend (1.025)

This will be my next purchase!

 

[erock68]

Here's what happened, so far, this weekend. Electrics going from shell to shell, then fighting over one. Busted!

I picked up some Instant Ocean Gell packed Brine Shrimp. My fish love it but these 2 guys go nuts over it. I've never seen crabs move so fast in my life (the snails for that matter) They could be on the top of the tallest LR and scamper to get what falls to the bottom.


My two new additions, False Percs. They are, as of yet, un-named. In the background, the Conch doing his job. My wife and daughter wanted them....they get naming rights:

 

[Toxic45]

It looks awesome. Makes me wonder what I could have done my first try with the right resources. I wouldn't trust myself to make something stable enough to hold a full fish tank though...